2024 • Volume 11 • Issue 4 The Canadian Dental Association Magazine PM40064661 CDAAward Winners Page 13 Dr. Bernard Dolansky Dr. Jennifer MacLellan Dr. LouAnn Visconti Never Alone Cancer Foundation Jocelyn Johnston Dr. Greg Chang Steve Jennex Dr. Nathalie Morin Dr. Craig Fedorowich Dr. Martin Gillis Dr. Peter Kearney Dr. Izchak Barzilay Dr. Huma Sharief
CDAMissionStatement The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is the national voice for dentistry dedicated to the promotion of optimal oral health, an essential component of general health, and to the advancement and leadership of a unified profession. is the official print publication of CDA, providing dialogue between the national association and the dental community. It is dedicated to keeping dentists informed about news, issues and clinically relevant information. 2024 • Volume 11 • Issue 4 Head of Communications Zelda Burt Managing Editor Sean McNamara Writer/Editor Sierra Bellows Gabriel Fulcher Pauline Mérindol Publications & Electronic Media Associate Vacant Graphic Designer Carlos Castro Advertising: All matters pertaining to advertising should be directed to: Peter Greenhough Media Partners Inc. 15 Wade Road Ancaster, ON L9G 4G1 Display or web advertising: Peter Greenhough pgreenhough@pgmpi.ca 647-955-0060, ext. 101 Classified advertising: John Reid jreid@pgmpi.ca 647-955-0060, ext. 102 Contact: Sean McNamara smcnamara@cda-adc.ca Call CDA for information and assistance toll-free (Canada) at: 1-800-267-6354 Outside Canada: 613-523-1770 CDA email: publications@cda-adc.ca @CdnDentalAssoc canadian-dentalassociation CanadianDental Association cdndentalassoc cdaoasis cda-adc.ca CDA Essentials is published by the Canadian Dental Association in both official languages. Publications Mail Agreement no. 40064661. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Canadian Dental Association at 1815 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, ON K1G 3Y6. Postage paid at Ottawa, ON. Notice of change of address should be sent to CDA: reception@cda-adc.ca ISSN 2292-7360 (Print) ISSN 2292-7379 (Online) © Canadian Dental Association 2024 Editorial Disclaimer All statements of opinion and supposed fact are published on the authority of the author who submits them and do not necessarily express the views of the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). Publication of an advertisement does not necessarily imply that CDA agrees with or supports the claims therein. The editorial department reserves the right to edit all copy submitted to CDA Essentials. Furthermore, CDA is not responsible for typographical errors, grammatical errors, misspelled words or syntax that is unclear, or for errors in translations. Sponsored content is produced by Peter Greenhough Media Partners Inc., in consultation with its clients. The CDA Essentials editorial department is not involved in its creation. CDABoardofDirectors President Dr. Joel Antel Dr. Lesli Hapak Ontario Dr. Brian Baker Saskatchewan President-Elect Dr. Bruce Ward Vice-President Dr. Kirk Preston Dr. Jerrold Diamond Alberta Dr. Mélissa Gagnon-Grenier NWT/Nunavut/Yukon Dr. Raymon Grewal British Columbia Dr. Stuart MacDonald Nova Scotia Dr. Marc Mollot Manitoba Dr. Matthew Moore New Brunswick Dr. Jason Noel Newfoundland/Labrador Dr. Janice Stewart Prince Edward Island 3 Issue 4 | 2024 |
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Contents The Canadian Dental Association Magazine 2024 • Volume 11 • Issue 4 25 28 CDA atWork 7 Misconceptions Persist About the CDCP 9 Update on the Canadian Dental Care Plan 13 CDA Award Winners News and Events 23 Statistics Canada Data: Access to Care for Insured vs. Uninsured 25 Developing a Third Pathway for Internationally Trained Dentists Issues and People 28 Volunteering at a Dental Clinic in Kenya 32 Cannabinoids and the Dental Patient Classifieds 44 Offices and Practices, Positions Available, Miscellaneous, Advertisers’ Index Supporting Your Practice 35 Managing Patients on Blood Thinners 38 3 Insider Secrets when Buying or Starting Your First Practice 42 7 Ways to Increase Engagement Obituaries 46 Dr. Alan Lowe 32 35 5 Issue 4 | 2024 |
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Dr. Joel Antel president@cda-adc.ca Misconceptions Persist About the CDCP The federal government implemented its Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) in May. The CDCP represents a significant opportunity to improve the oral health of uninsured Canadians. Dentists have long advocated for oral health to be considered essential primary health care, and the dental profession has been sharing its expertise about how the CDCP can best serve the oral health needs of eligible people living in Canada. There is still work to be done. An urgent area for improvement is the government’s communication to the public about the CDCP. Misconceptions about the program persist. In a survey conducted in May by CDA and the provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs), we learned that over half of seniors (61%) had not heard about the CDCP’s co-payment requirement based on income. This knowledge gap was even higher among the general population at 74%. In addition, 59% of seniors, and 69% of the general population had not heard about the potential additional charges or costs associated with the program. This is a problem. Our primary concern with these findings is that misunderstandings about the program adds extra pressure to dental visits and undermines patient care. Unless the government makes a more concerted effort to clearly communicate the parameters and limitations of its plan, many people in Canada will experience difficulty receiving care. Individual dentists can decide whether or not to participate in the CDCP. You know what’s best for your patients, staff and practice. Dental offices across Canada are facing the added burden of having difficult conversations with patients about CDCP’s limitations and misconceptions about what it offers. Surveys with dentists also showed that dental office staff are spending about 50 minutes per day explaining the program to patients. In response to continued confusion, CDA and the PTDAs launched a public education initiative encouraging people who are eligible for the CDCP to “Know Before You Go.” Based on what we’ve heard from our patients and know about our profession, these are things people need to know before they seek treatment under the CDCP: For many patients, treatment under the CDCP will not be free. Many are under the impression the CDCP will cover all the costs for their care. This is not the case. In many cases, the coverage provided by the federal government under CDCP is less than the usual dental service fees. Patients will be responsible to cover the difference. Patients cannot receive CDCP covered treatments from any dentist. Up until July 8, patients could only see a dentist registered to participate in the program. After July 8, patients can start to see a dentist that will participate through the CDCP’s claim-byclaim pathway. However, this alternative pathway still requires dentists to accept the same CDCP terms and conditions and not all dentists will choose to do so. The CDCP will not cover all treatments. The CDCP currently offers limited coverage and treatment options. Care options like sedation, commonly needed by youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities, will need government pre-approval. We still don’t know how long our patients will need to wait for the government to approve the treatment that dentists determine they need. Despite these ongoing concerns with the CDCP, we reaffirm our commitment to work closely with the federal government to advance the common goal of improving access to oral health care for those who are uninsured. From the President 7 Issue 4 | 2024 | CDA atWork
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Update on the Canadian Dental Care Plan As of early July, more than 2 million people were approved for coverage under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Health Canada reported that 250,000 seniors had received care under the federal plan. About 12,000 oral health care providers had registered for the plan, which is about 40% of all providers in Canada. This includes dentists, dental hygienists, denturists and dental specialists. On June 27, the program expanded to include eligible and uninsured children under age 18 and adults who receive the disability tax credit. In a July 8 new release, Health Canada said they had received nearly 10,000 applications for people with disabilities and 25,000 for children. Health Canada informed these applicants that it could take up to 3 months for them to receive their CDCP insurance information. Beginning on July 8, oral health care providers in Canada couldprovide services toCDCP-insuredpatients on a claim-by-claim basis without formally signing on to the CDCP. Oral health care providers seeing a CDCP patient would need to agree to bill Sun Life directly and accept payment for services covered under the CDCP, regardless of how they choose to participate. As well, oral health providers who participate in the CDCP on a claim-by-claim basis will have to agree to the same terms and conditions with Sun Life as those who sign up with the CDCP. Once a claim is approved, providers should receive reimbursement from Sun Life within 48 hours, with the goal of 24-hour turnaround times coming soon, according to the federal government. “CDA is encouraged to see that the federal government has worked on and heard some of our immediate concerns regarding CDCP,” says Dr. Joel Antel, CDA president. “While acknowledging the progress made so Beginning on July 8, oral health care providers inCanada could provide services to CDCPinsured patients on a claim-byclaim basis without formally signing on to the CDCP. 9 Issue 4 | 2024 |
To combat myths about the program, CDA and the PTDAs launched a public education program in June, called “Know Before You Go,” to address misconceptions Canadians still have about the CDCP. far, no public plan is perfect and there is still work to be done in the medium- to long-term to benefit Canadians over time. CDA will continue advocating for these changes and looks forward to working in partnership with the federal government.” The federal government has modified the CDCP, and CDA recognizes these efforts, including simplifying the terms and conditions providers must agree to and improving what treatments will be covered for eligible patients. The federal government addressed some of CDA’s other key concerns about patient privacy, agreed that unilateral changes will not be imposed on dentists, and provided details around how the CDCP will work. CDA and the provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs) have expressed concern about the federal government’s communication with the public about the CDCP. Public opinion research conducted by CDA found that 61% of seniors have not heard about the co-payment requirement based on income for the CDCP, and 60% of the public think communication about what services are covered is not clear. This research also showed that some dental offices are spending close to 1 hour per day explaining the CDCP to patients. To combat myths about the program, CDA and the PTDAs launched a public education program in June, called “Know Before You Go,” to address misconceptions Canadians still have about the CDCP. The program is intended to help patient have the best possible experience when visiting a dental office. In the coming months, CDA, in collaboration with the PTDAs, will continue to advocate for mitigating the potential loss of insurance coverage for those with existing employer-provided dental benefits, improving CDCP service coverage, and addressing health care human resources challenges. 10 | 2024 | Issue 4
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CDA Award Winners Each year, CDA honours individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the dental profession and the oral health of Canadians. This year’s CDA awards were presented during the CDA Awards Luncheon and President’s Installation Dinner (PID), held in Toronto in April 2024. Dr. Bernard Dolansky has enjoyed an illustrious dental career, which includes serving as president of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) and Canadian Dental Association (CDA). He has held positions on many professional and volunteer boards and has received Honorary Membership from both ODA and CDA. Dr. Dolansky’s career in endodontics spanned 37 years, during which he not only practised and taught but seamlessly transitioned to working with three partners and numerous associates. While at CDA, Dr. Dolansky was involved in the trailblazing activity of electronic data interchange (EDI), and he served on the committee that was dedicated to finding new ways to send dental claims to insurers. He led contract negotiations and oversaw the rollout of the complete national electronic claims submissions system, known as CDAnet. The proud history and tangible benefits of CDAnet are still being felt by Canadian dentists to this day. Since 1999, he has provided dental professionals with assistance in practice valuations, purchase and sales, associateships, partnerships, and he has also delivered lectures and written extensively on dental practice transitions. Dr. Bernard Dolansky CDA Medal of Honour The CDA Medal of Honour is the highest award conferred by CDA. It is given to a dentist in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding service and professional achievement to the benefit of the dental profession, the dental community and society at large, and to which can be attributed significant change. I received this award for being part of the team that put together CDAnet and ITRANS. Something that brought the profession together in implementing that wonderful service that we give to our patients. Everything that is accomplished for our profession is accomplished as a team, and by working together, we meet and work with so many great people. If there is a lesson here, it is the more you give, the more you get. And CDA thrives and succeeds because there are many people who believe in that credo. We give a lot, but we get back much more. 13 Issue 4 | 2024 |
Honoured Member Award This award is given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the dental profession, the dental community or the oral health of Canadians over a sustained period of time at the academic, corporate, specialty society, council, commission or committee level. Distinguished Service Award This award is given to recognize outstanding contributions to the dental profession, the dental community or the oral health of Canadians at large, in a given year or outstanding service over a number of years. Jocelyn Johnston has been involved in virtually every aspect of the British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA) since its beginning, serving as its executive director for 25 years before her retirement in 2023. She has played an instrumental role in shaping BCDA’s journey since its inception. Ms. Johnston has worked tirelessly to create and support a strong and unified dental community serving British Columbians. Her career in organized dentistry began when there were few women in such leadership positions. Her determination, passion, and hard work have garnered her the respect of all of those she has worked with, both on a provincial and national level. She believes in a strong and united profession and is committed to a strong national voice and a strong CDA. As she heads into retirement, she leaves behind an unparalleled, proud legacy and a strong foundation on which others can grow and succeed. Jocelyn Johnston Thank you to CDA for this award, and thank you to the profession. Some of you have heard me say this before, I wish that the government, media, patients and the public could see what I have over the past 30 years.There is the recovering addict who talks passionately about how receiving dental care helped in his road to recovery. The relief of a refugee from Syria recently arrived in Canada and getting an antibiotic prescription through a dental screening clinic. The gratitude of a childhood survivor of cancer for the enhanced quality of life they attribute to care provided by an oral surgeon. Of course, these events occur across the province, and it shows the depth of dentistry as a truly caring profession, and it is this passion and the wonderful people that I have worked with over the years that I’mmost thankful for and will miss. Dr. Martin Gillis has been actively involved in serving the dental profession and community since graduating dentistry in 1991. He has extensive experience on boards and committees at many different levels. He has taught at the Dalhousie University faculty of dentistry and has been a presenter at many conferences worldwide. He served as registrar of the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia from 2013–21, helping to oversee and implement organizational changes. His goal was to modernize dental standards provincially. Dr. Gillis also helped establish the Nova Scotia Regulated Health Professions Network. He initiated emergency clinics and reintroduced comprehensive dentistry, serving as dentistry’s liaison with the provincial chief medical officer. Dr. Martin Gillis Service is defined as the action of helping others and to serve is defined as worthy of reliance or trust. So it is a true honour to receive such an award. When I graduated from dental school, I thought I would spend my entire career in private practice. But instead, I was fortunate to experience many things that our profession has to offer, such as serving on committees, lecturing, and oral health teaching at Dalhousie. You never know where the road is going to take you. These experiences have been challenging and rewarding in their own way. Through it all, I have always tried to put the needs of my patients first. I’m so thankful to have had such great mentors who helped guide me through my career. 14 | 2024 | Issue 4
CONTINUEDP.17 CDA AwardWinners Dr. Jennifer MacLellan Dr. Jennifer MacLellan is a multi-faceted individual, serving as a teacher, public health advocate, mentor, researcher, and pediatric specialist. She made a significant effort to support the profession during the COVID-19 pandemic as president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association (NSDA) and is committed to promoting wellness in the lives of NSDA members through education and resources. Dr. MacLellan played a key role in improving the Nova Scotia Oral Health Program for children. Her work at the NSDA included applying her public health experiences to prevent early childhood caries and improve access to public programs. She is an excellent educator focused on preparing future dentists with evidence-based curricula. She actively supports their engagement in organized dentistry and underscores its importance. She was essential in the success of Dalhousie University’s outreach program and in delivering quality dental care to children. She has served as president of the Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. I would like to congratulate each person receiving a CDA award, and to recognize everyone involved in provincial and territorial dental associations, as well as CDA, for giving so freely and generously of your time to enrich and support our wonderful profession. Being given the privilege to give back in any way to my profession is an honour and to be rewarded for something that truly gives me nothing but joy, is incredible. I’m humbled and I do want to congratulate my dear friend and fellow Nova Scotian, Dr. Heather Carr. You’re an amazing person and have been inspirational to me. Thank you for so eloquently and passionately representing the dentists of Canada during a challenging term as CDA president. Dr. Nathalie Morin transitioned from military dentistry to become the director of professional services at the Ordre des dentistes du Québec (ODQ) and an assistant professor at McGill University’s faculty of dental medicine and oral health sciences. At the ODQ, she revitalized and implemented the Professional Practice General Inspection Program, improving the experience for dentists in Quebec. In 2017, she became clinic director at McGill. As the COVID-19 shutdowns were happening, she became the faculty’s associate dean of clinic affairs. She played a key role in re-opening the clinics and simulation laboratory, prioritizing infection prevention and control protocols. She emphasized patient care and dental student training during this challenging time. Dr. Morin volunteered on multiple committees and continues to practise dentistry. Dr. Nathalie Morin My career in dentistry was really a continuum of nice surprises, and it was filled with stimulating challenges. I wish to thank all the great people fromvarious dental organizations withwhomI got to collaborate on projects.These wonderful colleagues made me growwithin the dental profession andmade me enjoy every moment of my career. I do not have time to name all of them, but I want to recognize their support and friendship. Thank you, of course, to my family, husband, and kids who followed me over the years and were always encouraging me in new endeavours. 15 Issue 4 | 2024 |
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CDA AwardWinners Dr. Izchak Barzilay has served the profession and the prosthodontic specialty for decades. He serves as chair of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC) and president of the Academy of Prosthodontics. He has previously served as president of both the Association of Prosthodontists of Canada and the American Prosthodontic Society. He has served on many committees at various levels within dentistry. He is actively involved in multiple charities and outreach programs. Dr. Barzilay is CEO of the Build Your Smile Dental Foundation, providing dental care as a basic human right through programs in Toronto, Uganda and Mexico. He is highly accomplished with extensive speaking engagements, publications and awards. He stands out for his selfless dedication, problem-solving skills, and ability to maintain harmony among peers to achieve goals efficiently. Dr. Izchak Barzilay I am humbled, happy and surprised that I’m receiving this award. I’ve been involved in organized dentistry for a long time, and we take on these positions knowing that they are volunteer positions, and it is something that I take great pride in with the RCDC. I get to chair a board of directors of all dental specialties across Canada, and with the Build Your Smile Dental Foundation, I get to provide dental care around the world for those who could otherwise not afford it. Again, I am thrilled and of course I will continue doing the things that I enjoy doing, volunteerism and carrying the Canadian flag with me wherever I go. Thank you very much. Dr. Greg Chang Dr. Greg Chang is the creator of SuperChefs, the award-winning program that uses food and nutrition to help explain the link between oral health and overall wellness. The SuperChefs Cookery Society for Kids was launched in 2009 to educate children in a fun environment, drawing upon experts from diverse organizations such as Sesame Street, Yale and Harvard universities, and the White House. For the past 15 years, Dr. Chang and his team have organized free SuperChefs camps for hundreds of kids each summer. Other events have been held in partnership with universities such as UBC, U of T, Bishops and Columbia University in New York. Dr. Chang and his team met Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canada to discuss SuperChefs initiatives and received patronage from Governor General Michaëlle Jean. Dr. Chang’s passion, creativity, and leadership had an impact on thousands of children and youth. Award of Merit This award recognizes an individual who has served in an outstanding capacity in the governing or service of CDA over a sustained period of time, or who has made similar outstanding contributions to the dental profession, the dental community or the oral health of Canadians and society at large. CDA and dentistry have provided a great platform for us to percolate ideas and execute initiatives for many years. Our thought, that dentists could have a profound impact on the overall wellness and oral health of children through cooking, healthy eating, nutrition and sports, is something we could really sink our teeth into. Pardon the pun. I share this award with our incredible global SuperChefs team, our advisors, supporters and partners, and our university students that we employ and mentor each summer as they teach kids the basics of a healthy lifestyle. Special shout out to my family and Alex Barone, who helped develop this programfrom its grassroots beginnings to this very day. Lastly, a good chef is never without friends. Wherever you live or practise dentistry, feel free to contact us and join our team. We are happy to help you cook in your community together. 17 Issue 4 | 2024 |
Dr. Peter Kearney Dr. LouAnn Visconti Dr. Peter Kearney has tirelessly served his colleagues and enhanced the dental profession for over 40 years. He has an esteemed history of long-term volunteer work and has served as president of the Vancouver and District Dental Society and council member of the College of Dental Surgeons of BC. He was a long-time professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and mentored students through the UBC general practice residency program in the northern part of the province. He has taught the UBC Tucker Cast Gold elective for many years. Dr. Kearney is a veteran member of the organizing committee of the Pacific Dental Conference (PDC) and has played a key part in bringing together PDC’s lineup of speakers and presenters. As a member of the BCDA Economics Committee, he shares information and encourages debates on dental practice economics. Nationally, he was a member of the CDA/CDHA/CDAA Healthy Workplace working group and remains active as an invigilator, evaluator and exam supervisor for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada. Dr. LouAnn Visconti is a passionate and driven leader in the Canadian dental profession. After graduating from her orthodontic program, she established a practice in Timmins, Ontario. She was actively involved in the Timmins and District Dental Society and served on several committees for the Ontario Dental Association (ODA). She joined the ODA board in 2012 and became ODA president in 2017. She continued on to become a key member of the CDA Board of Directors in 2020. She was involved in many CDA committees, including the Lifelong Learning Task Force, Executive Search Committee, and Governance and Nominating Committee. Dr. Visconti’s approached tasks at CDA with a detailed and thoughtful perspective. She improved decision-making of the CDA Board by challenging its thinking. Dr. Visconti is also an accomplished musician, and she plays with the Timmins Symphony Orchestra. I would like to thankDr. DavidLimand the awards committee for consideringme. I have been fortunate inmy professional life to have been at the crossroads of so many aspects of oral health. And I have been inspired and encouraged by the leaders in dentistry. I must acknowledge two of my mentors, the late Dr. Dick Tucker andDr. John Sadkin, whose shoulders I stand upon each day. I hope that I’ve been able to inspire the next generation of dentists, younger, smarter, better-looking to become involved with organized dentistry. Of course, none of this would be possible without the understanding and support of my family. Thank you, Catherine and Sean, and thank you CDA. My mother instilled a sense of duty and honour in serving others in all of her children. These early lessons stayed with me as I served my profession at the local, provincial and national levels. Since my graduation over three decades ago, the dental profession has seen many changes and faced many challenges. I always feel that the true measure of a group is not seen during times of calm when everything is going well, but rather during times of adversity in how we handle the challenges that face us. I’ve been proud to be part of a wonderful group of like-minded individuals working together towards solutions. I would like to say a special thank you to my colleagues who deemed me worthy of this honour. I would also like to thank my husband andmy staff for their unwavering support throughout all my endeavours. And finally, a big thank you to all of you who I’ve had the honour and privilege to serve with for the betterment of the profession. I look forward to our path crossing again and to see what we can achieve in the future. 18 | 2024 | Issue 4
CDA AwardWinners Dr. Huma Sharief The mentorship programwas my initiation into the mechanics of the support and encouragement offered by theMDA. It was only natural that after graduating I would give back to the very program that changed my own life. For the last four years, it has been an honour to serve in this committee, alongside with my co-chair, Dr. Fedorowich, who is my guiding light mentor, voice of reason and friend for life. At some point, we have all been mentored or we serve as a mentor to others. May I take this time to thank all of those who have changed the course of our lives and who continue to inspire and bring joy and hope in their own way. ~Dr. Huma Sharief Mentorship Advancement Award This award recognizes dentists or dentist-led groups who have improved the sense of community among Canadian dentists through volunteer mentorship and shared learning. Drs. Craig Fedorowich and Huma Sharief have dedicated themselves to the Manitoba Dental Association’s (MDA) Mentorship Program. In partnership with the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, it is one of the MDA’s flagship member programs. They have organized up to 200 mentors and students each year since 2019, offering professional development and ongoing mentor support through lectures, events and other materials. The program fosters a supportive community for students entering the profession and this support extends beyond their student years. MDA dentists have the chance to contribute through this program that includes a diverse representation of the profession, with rural, urban, general practitioners and dental specialist involvement. Drs. Fedorowich and Sharief were joint recipients of the award. Dr. Craig Fedorowich It is an honour to be recognized by one’s peers. It is the essence of a true mentor, to be someone who gives their time and knowledge without intrusion. While the world wide web and social media offer a veritable infinite amount of information, there is no one better than a mentor to offer individual guidance, distilling the milieu of information. I find that my mentors are often my colleagues, and I can think of no better mentor than the one I’ve had as my colleague, Dr. Huma Sharief. Let’s focus on helping those early in our good profession as much as we can. ~Dr. Craig Fedorowich Steve Jennex has served as executive director of the Nova Scotia Dental Association (NSDA) for many years, offering exceptional leadership and support to the dentists of Nova Scotia. He actively advocates for oral health, participates in awareness campaigns, navigates program changes, and mentors young dental professionals. He is a respected collaborator and leader in dentistry, locally, provincially and nationally. He has contributed to many CDA committees, including the Economics Consortium and Technical Submission working group. He leads with wisdom, perspective, balance and diplomacy. His work has garnered respect and admiration from his colleagues and have made a meaningful impact on the Canadian dental profession. Steve Jennex I’d like to express my thanks and appreciation to the nominating and awards committees of the Nova Scotia Dental Association and the Canadian Dental Association for this honour. I’d especially like to thank my spouse, Heather Ann, for her support. These are times of both great challenges and great opportunities for the dental profession in Canada. And right now, we all need to be special friends of dentistry and keep rowing in the same direction. I’m grateful to be part of the team and I thank you for this recognition. Special Friend of Canadian Dentistry Award This award is conferred on an individual or organization outside of the dental profession in appreciation for exemplary support or service to Canadian dentistry and to the profession as a whole. 19 Issue 4 | 2024 |
CDA Award Winners (Back row, l. to r.): Dr. Greg Chang; Dr. Craig Fedorowich; Dr. LouAnn Visconti; Dr. Heather Carr; Steve Jennex; Dr. Martin Gillis. (Front row, l. to r.): Michael Scheffer; Dr. Nathalie Morin; Dr. Huma Sharief; Dr. Jennifer MacLellan; Jocelyn Johnston; Dr. Bernard Dolansky; Dr. Peter Kearney. Not shown: Dr. Izchak Barzilay CDA AwardWinners Oral Health Promotion Award This award recognizes individuals or organizations who have improved the oral health of Canadians through oral health promotion. This may involve creating public health policy or supportive environments, strengthening community action, developing personal skills, or increasing the prevention of oral diseases and disorders. Never Alone Cancer Foundation The Never Alone Cancer Foundation has worked closely with the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) in establishing an oral health screening program for Manitobans. Since 2015, this one-day program provides an average of 120 people with a free screening examination. About 10% of those screened are referred immediately to a specialist. Foundation volunteers provide support and coordination for this program and the MDA recruits volunteer dentists, assistants, hygienists, and staff to assist. The program has been an integral part of the MDA’s mission of providing free oral cancer screenings to the community and is a key MDA public-facing initiative. I’mhonoured to accept this award on behalf of the foundation and our amazing team. Our collaboration with theMDA has been a shining example of the power of partnership in advancing oral health initiatives. Together, we have worked towards promoting awareness of oral cancer.The impact of our initiative has touched the lives of countless individuals and emphasized the critical role of oral health, and the foundation is grateful for this recognition. It inspires us as we continue our mission of providing support, raising awareness, and contributing to the well-being of those affected by cancer.” ~Michael Scheffer, executive director, Never Alone Cancer Foundation 20 | 2024 | Issue 4
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How much does having dental insurance influence whether a person living in Canada visits a dentist? Researchers used data from Statistics Canada to explore this question and to help create a baseline of oral health care disparities before the implementation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). One study, which used data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, found that children and youth with dental insurance were 3 times more likely to see a dentist than those who were uninsured. Another study, which used data from the 2022 Canadian Community Health Survey, found that about half of adults without insurance (49.8%) had visited a dentist in the last year and 47.4% of uninsured adults avoided dental care because of cost. These reports, published by Statistics Canada in April 2024, highlight the gap in access to oral health care between insured and uninsured Canadians. They also provide a benchmark for future assessment of whether the CDCP is effective in addressing oral health disparities. Statistics Canada Data: Access to Care for Insured vs. Uninsured After adjustment for other sociodemographic variables, children and youth with dental insurance were nearly 3 times more likely to have visited a dental professional in the past 12 months than those without insurance. 23 Issue 4 | 2024 |
Statistics Canada Data Access the full Statistics Canada Health Reports at: 150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2024004/article/00002-eng.htm 150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2024004/article/00001-eng.htm 24 | 2024 | Issue 4 News and Events
Dr. JimYuan Lai is a professor, teaching stream, and vice-dean of education at the University of Toronto faculty of dentistry. Dr. Lai is president of the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry. Developing a Third Pathway for Internationally Trained Dentists Every year, roughly 500 students graduate from Canadian dental schools, and these graduates are eligible to take the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) certification process. Certain dental programs in the US, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have been recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) and graduates from these countries are also eligible to take the same certification process to become dentists in Canada. 25 Issue 4 | 2024 |
The third pathway, what we are calling “gap training,”will be a much quicker pathway for these dentists to gain their licenses and provide care to patients at a level that meets Canada’s standards. “Each year, about 400 graduates from these reciprocal countries are eligible to take the NDEB exam and become dentists in Canada,” says Dr. Jim Yuan Lai, vice-dean of education at the University of Toronto (U of T) and president of the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD). “The dental education standards in these countries are considered similar to Canada.” Internationally trained dentists from non-accredited dental programs make up the smallest category of new dentists in Canada each year. “Around 180 new dentists from countries in Europe, South American, Asia and Africa are eligible for the NDEB certification process,” Dr. Lai says. Internationally trained dentists who graduated from non-accredited dental program currently have two pathways to becoming licensed in Canada. One pathway is to complete the NDEB equivalency process which consists of the assessment of fundamental knowledge (AFK), the assessment of clinical judgment (ACJ), and the national dental examination of clinical competence (NDECC), which is designed to assess the clinical competence of dentists trained in non-accredited programs. The NDECC is administered in‑person in Ottawa and comprises of two components: i) the clinical skills component that assesses clinical skills and techniques relevant to current Canadian standards and ii) the situational judgment component that assesses judgment required for solving problems in work related situations. “Candidates come to Ottawa to perform various dental procedures on typodonts to demonstrate their psychomotor skills and also show that they possess certain competencies, such as professionalism and communication. For example, the situational judgment component will assess their ability to obtain informed consent,” says Dr. Lai. If candidates pass the AFK, ACJ and NDECC, they are then eligible for the certification process. “In general, candidates who graduated from a dental school very similar to one in Canada are successful in completing the equivalency process,” says Dr. Lai. “But going through both the equivalency and certification process does take time, often a minimum of two to three years.” The second pathway for internationally trained dentists is applying to a Canadian dental school. “Using U of T as an example, we have the International Dentist Advanced Placement Program, which includes six-months of training and then students complete our DDS third and fourth years,” says Dr. Lai. “We receive more than 180 applications for 24 spots, so it’s a competitive process. And once they have completed the program, these students are eligible for the NDEB certification process, the same as all other Canadian dental school graduates.” Many other dental schools in Canada have similar programs. The General Dentistry Gap Assessment and Gap Training Program Going back to dental school for two to three years requires significant investment from internationally trained dentists, both financially and in time spent. “As educators, we’ve realized that there is a lot of variation among the skill sets of internationally trained dentists,” Dr. Lai says. “Some certainly benefit a great deal from going back to dental school, but others are already highly skilled and only have small, specific gaps in skills and knowledge that could likely be addressed more efficiently.” ACFD has obtained funding from Employment and Social Development Canada to develop a third pathway for internationally trained dentists. “We want to create a program that has targeted training for the competencies that need to be developed to address gaps in the skills and knowledge that individuals may have, to allow these dentists to learn what they need 26 | 2024 | Issue 4 News and Events
Not everyone will be eligible for this third pathway. If their skills aren’t close enough to Canadian standards, theywill need toapply to a dental school. in a shorter time frame, 8 months or fewer,” says Dr. Lai. “We are still at the beginning stage of designing this third pathway, what we are calling ‘gap training,’ but it will be a much quicker pathway for these dentists to gain their licenses and provide care to patients at a level that meets Canada’s standards.” At present, a steering committee is being assembled to guide the project that includes stakeholders from throughout the Canadian dental profession, including Dr. Aaron Burry, CDA’s CEO. Steering Committee for Gap Assessment andTraining Dr. Paul Major, chair and project lead Ex officio members: Dr. Petros Papagerakis, dean, pilot site Laval University Dr. Ben Davis, dean, pilot site Dalhousie University Dr. JamesTaylor, Chief Dental Officer of Canada Appointed members: Dr. Paul Allison, executive director,ACFD Dr.Marie Dagenais, executive director, NDEB Dr. Jack Gerrow, executive director CDRAF DawnWilson, CDAC representative Dr.Aaron Burry, CDA representative Dr.Walter Siqueira and Dr. Carlos Quiñonez, ACFD dean representatives Dan Falkner, CEO, RCDSO Dr. Dan Haas, faculty representative, University of Toronto Dr.Majd Alkhassi, internationally trained dentist representative Dr. Hollis Lai,ACFD project representative Karan Nikhanj, gap training program manager The first step is to create an assessment tool to identify the specific strengths and weaknesses of an individual’s knowledge and skill areas. The ACFD committee will then look at creating a revised admission process. “Not everyone will be eligible for this third pathway. If their skills aren’t close enough to Canadian standards, they will need to apply to a dental school,” says Dr. Lai. “But for those who have a knowledge foundation that is strong, and are only lacking in a few areas, they would be eligible for this gap training.” The group will work with dental educators and other stakeholders to create training modules to address knowledge gaps. The dental schools at the University of Alberta, Dalhousie University and Laval University will pilot this gap training. “We are hoping the pilot will start the admission process in about 18 months from now,” says Dr. Lai. “The first cohort will be small; I imagine around 15 candidates.” Running the pilot program will test the validity of the assessment tool and the training modules, and then Dr. Lai hopes the program can be rolled out nationwide. 27 Issue 4 | 2024 | News and Events
Volunteering at a Dental Clinic in Kenya Dr. Jim Chung is a dentist in Toronto, Ontario, who recently spent time volunteering at a dental clinic in Kenya. Dr. Chung writes about his experience in East Africa and shares photographs from his trip. The Maasai Dental Clinic is located right next to the Maasai Mara National Game Park in Kenya, and we had visitors each day that I was there: monkeys, baboons, zebra and impala! People who live in the rural region of southwestern Kenya, many of them Maasai, would line up starting at 8:00 in the morning outside the clinic doors. We’d break for an hour at lunch and wrap up by 3:30 pm to give my three assistants a chance to walk home before sunset. There were also lions to avoid. 28 | 2024 | Issue 4
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